Digital Commons Network^™

Inclusive Instructional Practices: System-Wide Support For Students With Disabilities In Technical, Vocational Education And Training In Vihiga County, Kenya, Maurine Kageriza, Howard Omukami

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Kenya’s TVET sector has fully transitioned to the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, with one of the major challenges being the adoption of instructional requirements for students with disabilities, an inclusion issue compounded by exclusionary risk, and the choice of appropriate instructional experiences. Inclusive instructional practices remain a critical practice for mitigating marginalisation in mastering competencies. This study investigates inclusive instructional practices for SWDs in TVET in Vihiga County, Kenya. A convergent mixed methods with embedded case study design was employed in two public TVET institutions in Vihiga County, Kenya, involving 36 students with disabilities, 46 trainers, and 8 …

The Realities Of Competency-Based Curriculum Implementation: A Comparative Study Of Teacher Educators, Student Teachers, And Education Leaders Tanzania, Kenya, And Uganda, Jane Rarieya, Nyagwegwe Wango, Mary Oluga, Fortidas Bakuza, Winston Edward Massam, Samuel Andema

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms are transforming education systems across East Africa, yet their effectiveness depends heavily on teacher preparedness, institutional capacity, and policy coherence. This study presents a comparative analysis of CBC implementation in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, drawing on longitudinal data from the Foundation for Learning (F4L) project. Using mixed-methods evidence from teacher educators, student teachers, head teachers, and education officers, the study examines curriculum design, pedagogical practice, inclusivity, gender responsiveness, leadership, and sustainability. Findings show that while Kenya demonstrates the strongest alignment between teacher preparation and CBC implementation, Tanzania and Uganda exhibit fragmented adoption marked by limited ICT …

Editorial Board

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

Front Cover - Romantic Blues, Polina Deriy

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

Submit To Plr

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

Gratitude

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

Colophon

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

The Log Cabin | Public Perception And Mediated Reality (1840 – 1980), Aspen M. Regan

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone examines the evolution of the log cabin from 1840 to 1980. At its core, the project questions the legacy of the log cabin from its origins as simply being a traditional dwelling typology to its establishment as a cultural icon or rather, an enduring vessel that established the American Dream and ideals of self-reliance, freedom, and individualism deep within the heart of American culture.

Chapter One situates the log cabin historically and architecturally, defining the popular frontier dwelling as being a single-pen horizontal log constructed cabin. It then explores the cabin’s emergence as a cultural image through political …

Litmag 2026, University Of Missouri-St. Louis

Litmag

Litmag’s mission is to nurture the creativity of the students, staff, and alumni of UMSL by providing a space to showcase the diverse literary and artistic talent on our campus. We aim to provide an inclusive, professional and high-quality publication free of charge to UMSL and the local community.

Dear Reader, Welcome to UMSL’s 2026 issue of Litmag, Refractions! It has been an honor to serve as this edition’s Editor-in-Chief, especially with the staff that produced this issue. Each phase of this issue, from conception to actualization, provided our small team of editors many, many... many trials to overcome, and …

Implementation Brief Classroom Snapshots, Center On English Language Proficiency

Resources

No abstract provided.

The Profitability Of Basis Trading Strategies In Futures Markets, Evan W. Eifling

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

There have been few studies on post-harvest strategies related to hedging and speculation in futures and options markets and their returns in agricultural economic literature. In this thesis, we examine whether basis trading, a common strategy used by elevators to hedge their position, generates superior returns than simply storing physical cash grain following harvest and accounting for risk. Specifically, the purpose of my research is to study the returns and risks generated by each of these strategies using empirical analysis of the historical data of the post-harvest cash and future prices for the crop years from 1992-2020. The results of …

Pour & Ponder: A Gen Z Evaluation Of Hospitality And Communication In Wineries Of The Ozarks, Evan W. Seay

Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Generation Z represents an emerging consumer group within the hospitality and tourism industry, yet winery experiences are often designed with more traditional audiences in mind. As younger consumers increasingly value authenticity, communication, and experience-driven hospitality, wineries must consider how their practices align with evolving expectations. This honors thesis explores winery hospitality and communication practices in the Ozarks through a Generation Z perspective using a creative, experience-based approach. The final product of this project was Pour & Ponder, a podcast created to document reflective discussions following visits to three wineries: Sassafras Springs Vineyard, St. James Winery, and Ozark Hills Winery. …

Elizabeth Gibson Drinko Honors Convocation, Honors College

Honors Convocation

The Elizabeth Gibson Drinko Honors Convocation Awards Program for Spring 2026, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia.

The Quiet Persistence Of Dreams: Searching For Belonging Within The Latino Student Journey, Isveydi Moreno Vera

Theses & ETDs

This thesis explores the tension between belonging and aspiration among first-generation Latino students navigating higher education. Through a series of surreal and symbolic paintings inspired by memories, transformation, and cultural imagery, I visualize the emotional negotiation between personal identity and societal expectations. Rather than portraying “The Dream” as a singular goal, my work reimagines it as a space where belonging is continually shaped, questioned, and redefined. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Tanya Arguiniga, Tony Ortega, and Yvette Mayorga, I build upon their use of storytelling, surrealism, and materiality to express complex cultural experiences. My series aims to honor the …

Evaluation Of Flt3 Inhibition With Quizartinib During Busulfan Conditioning For Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Catherine Jankovic

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of the only curative therapy options for many hematologic malignancies. HSCT relies on effective conditioning regimens to deplete host hematopoietic cells and enable donor engraftment. The alkylating agent Busulfan is widely used in myeloablative conditioning strategies due to its potent cytotoxic effects on hematopoietic cells and ability to clear the bone marrow. However, optimization of conditioning strategies remains an important area of investigation to improve transplant outcomes and reduce toxicity. Preliminary studies have shown that the FLT3 inhibitor Quizartinib synergizes with some chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting that targeted inhibitors may enhance conventional conditioning regimens. …

Criminalizing Curation, Duncan Hosie

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

This Article surfaces emerging threats to artistic expression posed by the Dost test, which outlines six factors for interpreting a “lascivious exhibition of the genitals” under federal and many state child pornography laws. It argues that the present state of American politics has eroded normative inhibitions that previously prevented the ambiguities and vulnerabilities of child pornography prosecutions from being systematically exploited. By way of repair, the Article offers two jurisprudential reform proposals.

Synthesizing precedent, criticism, and theory, the Article demonstrates Dost invites selective enforcement against politically and religiously unpopular artwork by authorizing courts and prosecutors to assess polysemous visual works …

The Constitutional Penumbras Of Home Rights, Gerald S. Dickinson

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

Justice William Douglas’s famous parable in Griswold v. Connecticut argued that the Bill of Rights contains penumbras—implied zones of privacy protections— that emanate from the First, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. His penumbral conception of privacy rights has sparked extensive debate among legal scholars, reflecting both its influence and its ongoing controversy. Yet, there is more to Justice Douglas’s penumbra story to explore. In expounding on his privacy innovations in Griswold, Justice Douglas explained that the Fourth and Fifth Amendments protect against all governmental invasions of the sanctity of a man’s home and the privacies of life. Indeed, the …

Locked And Unloaded: The Constitutional And Empirical Case For Firearm Safe Storage Advisories, Hillel Y. Levin, Kay L. Levine

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

Constitutional law haunts our efforts to reduce the number of firearm deaths each year. But even with the evolving scope of individual rights, sensible regulation remains possible.

This Article proposes one such regulatory tool. State governments legally can and pragmatically should require firearm sellers to advise their customers of the association between improper gun storage and the risk of accidental death and suicide. Mandatory safe storage advisories implicate two strands of constitutional jurisprudence: the First Amendment’s protection against compelled speech and the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms. While the Supreme Court has strengthened both doctrines in recent years, jurisdictions …

The Constitutional Future Of Trademark Tarnishment, Jake Linford

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

This Article is the first to examine whether trademark anti-tarnishment laws should be deemed constitutional after the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Vidal v. Elster. Anti-tarnishment laws protect famous brands from uses that could damage their reputation, even when consumers are not confused about who makes the tarnishing product.

The Supreme Court recently declared some trademark registration restrictions unconstitutional in Matal v. Tam and Iancu v. Brunetti. In these cases, the Court struck down federal laws that prevented registration of “disparaging” trademarks and “scandalous or immoral” trademarks because they categorized the registration bars as unconstitutional viewpoint-based restrictions. These …

Freedom At The Polls: Guns, Speech, And The Right To Vote, Matthew B. Russett

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

Part I of this Note provides a brief overview of current firearm prohibitions at polling locations and examines the legislative justifications for these restrictions. Recently, an increasing number of states have enacted firearm prohibitions as a prophylactic measure against voter intimidation and disruption. Part II applies New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen’s history and tradition test to determine whether these prohibitions pass constitutional muster under the Second Amendment. Indeed, a critical examination of historical voting laws in America shows a compelling history of limiting firearms near polling locations. Part III examines similar themes in First Amendment …

The End Of The List: Constructive Waiver Of The Right To Counsel In Virginia, Thomas C. Squires

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

This Note will first give a general background on the right to counsel in the United States that stems from the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, with a focus on the right as applied in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A brief examination of the specific Virginia Code section that is relevant when discussing this issue will follow. This code section and its deficiencies collectively present potential threats to defendants’ right to counsel. An evaluation of federal case law and Virginia case law on constructive waiver will follow. This Note will conclude by offering potential solutions to head the looming …

Table Of Contents (V. 34, No. 4)

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

No abstract provided.

The Delivery And Evaluation Of The Diabetes Prevention Program Through A Distance Education Modality, Celine Siddall

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

Type 2 diabetes is a significant and growing public health concern, disproportionately affecting American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing diabetes risk through lifestyle modification. However, implementation in rural and geographically isolated regions presents unique challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted in-person delivery models, creating the need for rapid transformation to virtual formats.

This graduate project evaluated the implementation of a virtually delivered Prevent T2 at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center program in the Tana Chiefs Conference region. This program was adapted for distance delivery using Zoom and supported by collaboration …

Rising Prices, Rising Homes: How Inflation Shapes The U.S. Housing Market, Samantha Suarez

Theses & ETDs

This thesis explores the causes and consequences of inflation in the United States, with a particular focus on housing. It begins by examining the main drivers of housing inflation, including supply shortages, rising construction costs, low interest rates, and shifts in demand during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These housing-specific factors are compared to broader sources of inflation such as fiscal stimulus, monetary policy, global supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical conflicts. The paper also analyzes how inflation affects households across different income groups. Because housing is a large share of total expenses, rising rents and home prices tend to place …

Biopsychosocial Mechanisms And Management Of Pain And Emotional Health In Fibrous Dysplasia/Mccune-Albright Syndrome, Camryn Berry

Doctoral Dissertations

Fibrous Dysplasia (FD) is a rare disease where healthy bone is replaced by lesions of fragile, porous tissue. FD lesions may affect a single bone or occur throughout the entire skeleton and can grow rapidly. A diagnosis of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is made when FD is accompanied by endocrinopathies and skin hyperpigmentation. FD/MAS can cause debilitating complications, including disabilities, deformities, fractures, and chronic pain. Pain is one of the most common symptoms of FD/MAS and can have a profound impact on patients’ quality of life. However, FD/MAS pain is complex and varies substantially between patients. This complexity and a lack …

Black Athens: Organic Intellectuals And The Civil Rights Movement In Boston, 1920–1985, Raymond Dinsmore

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the history of Boston’s civil rights movement through the lives,ideas, and accomplishments of its most influential leaders within what this study terms “Black Athens.” Despite Boston’s reputation as a premier global center of intellect and thought leadership, its Black community has rarely received due recognition for its vital contributions to the city—and particularly to its twentieth-century freedom movement. While many historians have examined the political, social, and cultural dimensions of Boston’s freedom struggle and the broader civil rights movement, few have foregrounded its intellectual history. I argue that this omission has produced an incomplete understanding of both …

Permeability And Mechanical Response Of Propped Fractured Rocks Under Varied Fluid Viscosities, Hebatalla A. Ghoneim

Doctoral Dissertations

Hydraulic fracturing relies on proppants to preserve fracture conductivity under reservoir stresses. The long-term performance of propped fractures is influenced by grain crushing, redistribution of fines, pack rearrangement, proppant–rock embedment, and shear deformation. These mechanisms are not fully understood under combined compression and shear stress paths, particularly when viscous carrier fluids interact with fractured rock and proppant packs. This dissertation provides experimental data and device development to characterize proppant and rock behavior relevant to these coupled mechanical and hydraulic processes.Proppant grain-scale strength and pack-scale mechanical response were first examined through uniaxial grain tests, crushing tests, and drained and undrained triaxial …

Linking Environmental Change, Microbial Community Assembly, And Function During A Novel Marine Phytoplankton Bloom Using Multi-Omics, Madison Renée Hurley

Doctoral Dissertations

Phytoplankton are central to marine ecosystem functioning, driving primary production, nutrient cycling, and higher trophic level dynamics. In the spring and summer of 2023, the Gulf of Maine experienced an unprecedented bloom of the dinoflagellate Tripos muelleri, reaching densities exceeding 50,000 cells L-1, an order of magnitude higher than previously recorded, and disrupting the region’s typical spring diatom-dominated succession. This bloom provided a unique opportunity to examine the metabolic strategies, ecological interactions, and environmental drivers underlying the bloom persistence and decline. An integrative approach was used, combining 18S and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, pigment and image analysis, network modeling, functional …

J.R.R. Tolkien’S Creation Of The Modern Fantasy Genre As A Response To Modernity By Way Of A Return To A Past Inspired By The Middle Ages, As Revealed Through The Creatures Of Middle-Earth, Regarding Race, Gender, Empire, And Religion, Jonathan Levitt

Doctoral Dissertations

Fantasy authors existed well before and during J.R.R Tolkien’s time, but he brought a new gravitas to the genre, building upon but disposing of and reconceptualizing conventional notions (such as the presence of fairies) to earn his moniker as the father of the modern fantasy genre. Although Tolkien’s stories are inspired by Northern myths, the world he creates is to be understood as historically real, as it incorporates authentic linguistic and cultural underpinnings of a society informed by his experience as a philologist and professor of Anglo Saxon. The intensity and longevity of Tolkien’s influence on the literary world and …